Defending the Heart of Fruita: Say No to Eminent Domain Abuse

Overview

The City of Fruita is attempting to use eminent domain to take private property from a family farm on 19 Road. This action directly contradicts Fruita’s own Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Vision. We stand against this unjustified land seizure—here’s why.

What's at Stake

• A family farm, generations strong

• Local food production and open space

• The rural identity and heritage of Fruita

The Legal Argument: Why This Use of Eminent Domain is Wrong

1. It Fails the “Public Benefit” Test

• The proposed 19 Road expansion primarily benefits a private developer, not the broader community.

• This violates the principle that eminent domain must serve clear and compelling public use, not private profit.

2. It Violates Fruita’s Own Vision and Values

• Equity & Access: The Transportation Plan promises a system that "equitably serves all users." This project benefits only a few.

• Character of the Community: Paving over farms erodes Fruita’s small-town, agricultural identity.

• Rural Preservation: The Comprehensive Plan calls for preserving agricultural land and maintaining Fruita’s “rural edge.” This action does the opposite.

• Quotes from the City of Fruita Comprehensive Plan: “Attendees were concerned about farmland being converted to residential“, “very opposed to new housing development“, “Don’t Moab Fruita“ and “Don’t Front Range Fruita“

• Fruita’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee main themes include: keep a rural edge so that Fruita is separate from Grand Junction“

3. It Undermines Smart Growth Principles

• Promotes Sprawl: The project pushes development to the city’s edges, against Goal #2 of the Land Use + Growth Plan.

• Violates “Infill First” Policy: New development should occur within existing urban boundaries, not by annexing and paving farmland.

• Shifts Cost to Taxpayers: Policy 2.E states “Ensure that new development pays its own way”. Why should the community foot the bill for a developer’s access road?

Transportation Plan Inconsistencies

• The 19 Road expansion is not listed as a high-priority project in the City's Transportation Master Plan.

• The project is not critical to fixing key safety issues identified in the plan (e.g., near schools or City Market).

• Fruita’s plan encourages east-west connectivity—this north-south expansion does not meet that goal.

Ignored Community Input

• Residents said NO to growth near 19 Road and Fruita Monument High School. They said: ”For areas not to encourage growth, attendees largely placed their dots south near Snooks Bottom, near Fruita Monument High School, along 19 Road, and along the city’s northern edge.”

• The Comprehensive Plan promises to reflect community voices—this project ignores them.

• The communities SaveFruitaFarms.org grassroots petition opposing Fruita’s 19 Road expansion has garnered over 1,985 signatures.

Economic Harm, Not Help

• Farm economics matter. Local farms create jobs, food, and economic value.

• Goal #7 of the Economic Development Plan supports local business retention—seizing farmland undermines this.

What You Can Do

1. Join the Private Property Rights Fight
   Work with fellow community members defending private property rights.

2. Raise Your Voice
   Speak at City Council meetings. Demand answers.

3. Share the Story
   Spread the word. Share what’s going on in Fruita. Talk to neighbors.

4. Support the Farm
   Visit, volunteer, or support Save Fruita Farms.

This Isn’t Just About a Road — It’s About the Soul of Fruita.

Fruita must follow its own plan. We call on city leaders to halt this misuse of power and protect the farms that define our community.